4of 4Texans linebacker Brian Peters (right) jokes with defensive end J.J. Watt during practice at the Methodist Training Center on Sept. 5, 2016, in Houston. Watt returned to practice after undergoing back surgery earlier this summer to repair a herniated disc.Photo: Michael Ciaglo /Houston Chronicle

HOUSTON — J.J. Watt will play in the Houston Texans’ season opener against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Watt returned to practice on Monday for the first time since back surgery in July and Texans coach Bill O’Brien said after practice that he would play.

Watt missed all of training camp and the Texans’ four preseason games after surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back.

The Texans activated him from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday and the team announced that he passed his physical on Sunday.

Watt, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in three of the past four seasons, hasn’t missed a game in his five-year career. The defensive end also sat out the entire preseason in 2012 because of an elbow injury and returned for the season opener.